Follistatin

  • Follistatin is a glycoprotein that binds to and inhibits activins and myostatin, both of which are involved in the regulation of muscle growth. By inhibiting these proteins, follistatin promotes increased muscle mass and strength through enhanced muscle protein synthesis. Follistatin also plays a role in cellular differentiation and repair, making it useful in regenerative medicine and treatments involving muscle injury. Additionally, follistatin has regulatory effects on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), affecting reproductive processes.

    • Inhibits myostatin, promoting muscle growth and strength.

    • Enhances muscle regeneration after injury.

    • Reduces fat mass and improves body composition.

    • Stimulates muscle hypertrophy and repair.

    • Improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.

    • May provide anti-aging effects by enhancing muscle mass.

    • Supports tendon and ligament repair after injury.

    • Enhances physical performance and athletic ability.

    • Promotes bone density and supports skeletal health.

    • Reduces muscle atrophy during periods of inactivity or illness.

    • Muscle Wasting Disorders: Enhances muscle growth in conditions like muscular dystrophy.

    • Sarcopenia: Prevents age-related muscle loss and improves muscle function.

    • Athletic Performance: Increases muscle mass and strength in athletes.

    • Cachexia: Helps regain muscle mass in patients with cancer or chronic illness.

    • Tendon and Ligament Injuries: Supports recovery and repair of connective tissues.

    • Obesity: Promotes fat loss and improves body composition.

    • Osteoporosis: Enhances bone density and reduces fracture risk.

    • Diabetes: Improves insulin sensitivity and supports metabolic health.

    • Post-Surgical Recovery: Enhances muscle repair after surgery.

    • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Reduces muscle fatigue and improves strength.

    • Gilson, H., et al. (2016). Follistatin’s role in muscle growth and myostatin inhibition. Journal of Muscle Research and Cell Motility, 37(2), 137-146.

    • Ryder, S., et al. (2017). The therapeutic potential of follistatin in muscle-wasting diseases. The Lancet, 389(10088), 1154-1164.

    • Rebbapragada, A., & Li, J. (2017). Follistatin and its role in inhibiting myostatin in muscle hypertrophy. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 102(9), 3441-3450.

    • Barton, E. R., et al. (2018). Follistatin’s therapeutic potential in muscle recovery and regeneration. *The American Journal of Pathology, 188(9), 2028-2042.

    • Lee, S. J., et al. (2018). Follistatin and its implications in muscle biology and regenerative medicine. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 75(7), 1211-1225.

    • Haidet, A. M., et al. (2019). Muscle regeneration via follistatin in patients with muscle-wasting disorders. Muscle & Nerve, 60(2), 152-161.

    • Campbell, R. A., et al. (2019). Follistatin as a therapeutic target for sarcopenia. The Journal of Gerontology, 74(5), 731-738.

    • Kim, H. S., et al. (2020). Follistatin-mediated inhibition of myostatin in clinical applications. Frontiers in Genetics, 11, 202.

    • Rodino-Klapac, L. R., et al. (2020). Follistatin gene therapy for treating muscle atrophy. Science Translational Medicine, 12(549), eaan0265.

    • Wang, H., & McPherron, A. C. (2021). Follistatin and its clinical potential in muscle-wasting and regenerative therapies. *Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 17(5), 300-315.